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Arbitration hearings loom for unsigned players

Jim Johnson saved a big league-best 51 games in '12, and while it'll be tough to duplicate those numbers, an effective '13 is possible

By Paul Hagen

Third baseman Chase Headley reached agreement on a new contract with the Padres on Wednesday. The Reds inked outfielder Chris Heisey and reliever Alfredo Simon on Thursday morning, and before the day was over, Martin Prado completed a four-year deal with the D-backs.

The timing wasn't a coincidence. In each case, those parties avoided salary arbitration as the clock was ticking. Hearings are scheduled to begin Monday and continue through February 21.

As of midday Friday, after left-hander Marc Rzepczynski and the Cardinals came to terms on a one-year contract, there were 15 unsigned players who had filed for arbitration.

Unsigned players who filed for arbitration

Player

Team

Asked

Offered

Jason Hammel

Orioles

$8.25M

$5.70M

Shin-Soo Choo

Reds

$8M

$6.75M

Max Scherzer

Tigers

$7.40M

$6.05M

Jim Johnson

Orioles

$7.10M

$5.70M

Homer Bailey

Reds

$5.80M

$4.75M

Jordan Zimmermann

Nationals

$5.80M

$4.60M

Clayton Richard

Padres

$5.55M

$4.905M

Dexter Fowler

Rockies

$5.15M

$4.25M

Mat Latos

Reds

$4.70M

$4.15M

Sergio Romo

Giants

$4.50M

$2.675M

David Freese

Cardinals

$3.75M

$2.40M

Mike Leake

Reds

$3.50M

$2.65M

Mike Aviles

Indians

$3.40M

$2.40M

Darren O'Day

Orioles

$3.20M

$1.80M

Gerardo Parra

D-backs

$2.70M

$2.10M

The Orioles have two of the more interesting unresolved negotiations on the table. Right-hander Jason Hammel, who in his first season with Baltimore last year made $4.75 million while going 8-6 with a 3.43 ERA in 20 starts, filed a $8.25 million request. The Orioles countered with $5.7 million. The $2.55 million difference is the largest among the remaining players eligible for the process.

The O's are also dealing with All-Star closer Jim Johnson, who racked up 51 saves last year. They are $1.4 million apart. Baltimore has a third player, right-hander Darren O'Day, on the list.

Even after coming to terms with Heisey and Simon, the Reds still had four more players who can go through a hearing. One is the recently acquired outfielder Shin-Soo Choo and the others are pitchers Homer Bailey, Mat Latos and Mike Leake. The Cardinals face a potential hearing with third baseman David Freese.

Most cases are settled near the midpoint between the two figures. If a case does go to a hearing, a three-person panel listens to arguments from both sides and then must choose one number or the other.

Paul Hagen is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.